It’s Canadian Environment Week!

It’s time for grassroots action to help Canada protect, preserve and restore our nation’s glorious environment. From June 5th to June 11th, Canada celebrates the nation’s progress on encouraging yearlong efforts to protect the environment and safeguard its biodiversity. Canadian Environmental Week was created to coincide with the World Environment Day, Clean Air Day and World’s Ocean Day to facilitate conversation surrounding environmental protection and preservation. Here is a little information on how the environment is celebrated during these days!

World Environment Day

This year for World Environment Day the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) has called for action against the illegal wildlife trade as part of the Go Wild for Life campaign. As part of the campaign, citizens are invited to participate in engaging events and talks to learn more about the illegal wildlife trade and how it affects all aspects of life. The illegal wildlife trade not only contributes to overexploitation but it also targets vulnerable wildlife populations, ultimately decreasing the level of biodiversity around the globe. Across the world, cities are taking a stand by organizing events and creating awareness. Learn more about the illegal wildlife trade and how to join the conversation surrounding this terrible practice here.

Clean Air Day

On June 8th this year chose greener modes of transportation to celebrate Clean Air Day. This nationally recognized day was created to encourage action and raise awareness on climate change issues and on clean air. So bike to work, walk to the store or find other ways to reduce your personal emissions! If you work in an office or organization, try celebrating the day and commit to a week of reducing your personal emissions through the ‘Commuter Challenge’.

World Oceans Day

Celebrated on the same day as Clean Air Day, World Ocean’s Day is a chance for people to remember just how important the oceans are worldwide and the role they play in nature. This year it can be celebrated with the theme “Healthy Oceans, Healthy Plant” by promoting the prevention of plastic pollution in the ocean. Did you know that in 2006, UNEP estimated that every square mile was polluted with over 45,000 pieces of floating plastic debris? Did you know that tiny particles of microplastics are found in most beaches around the world? This year, support the world’s oceans by reducing your plastic consumption. Go reusable when possible and reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose! Check out http://www.worldoceansday.org/ to learn more about this issue and find an event in your area that celebrates the day!

Show your commitment throughout the whole week!

There are many things you can do to help protect the environment. Celebrate by joining a tree-planting event in your community or take a hike to engage with nature; share your knowledge with friends, family and co-workers on conservation practices; attend local events to support communities involved with conservation efforts. Most importantly, learn about all the things Canada is doing to protect the environment by visiting the Environment and Climate Change Canada website! At the end of the day, it takes everyone to get involved with preserving the environment to make the week successful. Do whatever is in your power to show your support for Canada and the world’s environment!